The blog of Brian Wainwright, author of Within the Fetterlock, The Adventures of Alianore Audley and...

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

Progress with that Richard III book

Progress? What's all this progress thing?

There is actually quite a bit of book written. About a third at a guess. However one of the things that has been holding me back is a decision as to the starting date. Well, I've now decided, and it's probably definite. That it will start at the time of Margaret of York's wedding in Burgundy.

This means I have to write one or possibly two new chapters, but given that the first chapter is maybe the most important of all, this is probably a good thing as I was not happy with my original first chapter. And if I'm not happy with it, why should anyone else be?

The lead characters? Richard of Gloucestre and Anne Neville, natch. However strong supporting roles will be played by Francis Lovel (although his story will be told from a totally different angle to any previous novel, and I believe I'm going to be closer to real history on this one) and Elizabeth Talbot, Duchess of Norfolk (who will not appear much, but will go to some places where the others can't, particularly into the Beaufort camp.) I wanted to tell it from as few viewpoints as possible, to minimise head-hopping, and those are my four picks. I may have to give a few scenes to other people (George and Isabelle Clarence perhaps) but I'm going to see if I can avoid it.

It's going to be a big book, and a complex book. Sorry folks, but the list of characters is going to dwarf Fetterlock's. However, at least it is happening. I am writing more freely than I have done for years - not that that's saying much - the enthusiam is returning, and although it won't be finished tomorrow, as long as God spares me it will be finished.